Greater Manchester to get 300-strong public charging point network

Backed by a £3.6m support from the government’s Plugged In Places scheme, plus sponsorship from the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA) and Greater Manchester Environment Commission, the network will also include six Pod Centres at key locations.

These will offer facilities for people to buy, lease, hire and charge EVs, join an electric car club, shop or buy a coffee, with expert staff on hand to help with enquiries. Centres are planned for Manchester Airport, the city centre, Oldham, MediaCityUk, Stockport and the Trafford Centre, with more to come.

The scheme will be run by new private venture company Manchester Electric Car Company (MECC), which plans to establish 25 Pod Centres across the Greater Manchester area as a medium term plan. MECC will also develop a smart card system to access the charging points, plus an Oyster card style system that will be interoperable with public transport.

Once complete, the network will allow public access to points offering fast charging, for a full charge in under three hours, or a rapid charging service which offers full range in around 30 minutes. Domestic charging points will also be available through MECC.

Chair of Greater Manchester Environment Commission, Councillor David Goddard, said: ‘With the assistance of the Government’s Plugged in Places scheme, we are going to see a first class charging network installed right across Greater Manchester.

‘Studies show that a network such as this is the key to getting drivers, and fleet managers, to consider a switch to electric. This will also be a vital part of helping Greater Manchester hit its targets for reducing carbon emissions.'